North West businessman Suliman Carrim's testified about his relationship with alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday.
Image: Oupa Moakoena/Independent Newspapers
North West businessman Suliman Carrim's testimony got off to a dramatic start at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday as his legal team clashed with commission secretary Dr Nolitha Vukuza over seating arrangements.
The tension was, however, defused after commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga intervened, prompting Carrim's lawyer Kameel Premhid to apologise for his outburst.
Madlanga had earlier rejected Carrim's application to testify in-camera despite claims he had received death threats via phone messages.
Carrim faces accusations of using ANC connections to help alleged crime mastermind Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala to secure a R360-million tender with SAPS for his Medicare24 company.
Testifying before the commission he said he provided R10 million in funding to Medicare24 after receiving a phone call from Matlala in June 2024 that led to a funding request.
"I know Vusi as we both operate in the security sector," he said, adding that before the phone he never had prior to the engagement of Matlala.
Carrim said Matlala told him he had won a SAPS medical services contract but faced cash flow issues.
He also met Michael van Wyk, who claimed to own Medicare24 and said Matlala was a franchisee.
Carrim told the commission he asked Brown Mogotsi, an alleged political fixer close to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, to verify the tender's legitimacy. Mogotsi reportedly confirmed the contract's validity.
Carrim said: “Vusi and I agreed that if I advanced him R10 million I would be paid an additional R10 million over the three-year contract period. Repayment would be made the equivalent of 10% of all payments received until the amount of R20 million was received.”
He expected payment towards the end of 2024, but Matlala was being "evasive" about making payments.
He told the commission he grew despondent when Matlala had not paid him by late 2024.
He asked Mogotsi to find out if Matlala was receiving SAPS's purchase order to do more work for the institution.
He testified that Matlala requested more funding in January 2025.
Carrim testified that Mogotsi advised him that in order to obtain my monies from Matlala he should inform Matlala that he has good or direct relationship with Mchunu or his office.
"I advised Brown that this was a joke as I had no relationship with either the Minister or his office," he said.
He said Mogotsi was clear that the strategy was required and calculated to make Matlala believe that "my involvement and assistance with the minister or his office would be crucial and therefore he would need to pay me my money".
Carrim denied having any influence with Mchunu or exerting undue influence over him.
"In truth, I had and do not have any relationship with the minister,” he said.
He told Mogotsi that it did not make sense to give Matlala the impression that he was close to Mchunu.
Mogotsi, according to Carrim, insisted that "I should trust him and that I will get money owed to me" if he followed his proposition.
He told the commission that he only learnt of Mogotsi's relationship with Matlala after his testimony at the Commission.
According to him, payments started trickling in and by mid-March 2025, he had received only a net payment of R1.75 million, which was paid into the Tameez investment account, one of his companies.
"Before further payments could be received and unexpectedly in March 2025 Vusi sent me a message regarding the cancellation of the Medicare24 contract," he said.
The commission previously heard that the contract was cancelled after SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola issued a letter immediately terminating it.
The termination was due to Medicare24 abusing the supply chain management system and engaging in fraudulent and corrupt practices while competing for the contract.
Carrim's testimony continues.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za